Motive and propulsion mechanism for use in the water

ABSTRACT

A main body includes a bellows mechanism. In the first embodiment of the present invention, this bellows mechanism includes a movable vane, and in the second embodiment of the present invention this bellows includes a movable endless or tubular bellows. A rope is adapted to be attached to either the hands or feet of the swimmer and is operatively connected to the movable portion of the bellows closer to one end thereof than the opposite end. Thus, alternate movement of the right and left hands or feet will cause alternate movement of the movable part of the bellows. However, since the rope is operatively connected closer to one end of the bellows than the other, the movement of the movable part of the bellows is uneven and accordingly causes a forcing of fluid through the main body of the bellows.

United States Patent Ohnaka [76] Inventor: Jumpei Ohnaka, 9-37, Honmachi,

Kurashiki,Japan i [22] Filed: Dec. 23, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 211,328

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data 7 12cc. 25, I970 Jgipgr .45/l 2 89 1 2 [52] US. Cl. 9/307, 115/28 R [51] A63b 31/00 [58] Field of Search 115/28 R, 28 A, 26.3,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,312,976 3/1943 Pels 1l5/6.l X 1,318,451 10/1919 Katzmarek.. 9/302 3,336,897 8/1967 Jeney 115/28 R 3,505,970 4/1970 Sydoriak 9/307 MOTIVE AND PROPULSION MECHANISM FOR USE IN THE WATER Primary Examiner-Milton Buchler Assistant Examiner-Gregory W. O'Connor Attorney-E. F. Wenderoth et a1.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A main body includes a bellows mechanism. In the first embodiment of the present invention, this bellows mechanism includes a movable vane, and in the second embodiment of the present invention this bellows includes a movable endless or tubular bellows. A rope is adapted to be attached to either the hands or feet of the swimmer and is operatively connected to the movable portion of the bellows closer to one end thereof than the opposite end. Thus, alternate movement of the right and left hands or feet will cause alternate movement of the movable part of the bellows. However, since the rope is operatively connected closer to one end of the bellows than the other, the movement of the movable part of the bellows is uneven and accordingly causes a forcing of fluid through the main body of the bellows.

3 Claims, Drawing mmgnnuv 20 um I 31772.71 9

. sum 1 LF 3 FWUE INVENTOR JUMPEI OHNAKA ATTORNEYS PAIENTEDHW 20 I973 SHEET 2 EF 3 INVENTOR JU EI OHNAKA 9 a 7; ATTORNEYS mmnnnu'vzo ma I $772,719

I sum 3L? 3 INVENTOR JUMPEI OHNAKA ATTORNEYS MOTIVE AND PROPULSION MECHANISM FOR USE IN THE WATER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a motive and propulsion mechanism of the type to be worn by a swimmer in the water. More particularly, the present invention relates to such a mechanism which has as an operative component thereof a bellows which may be readily operated by the swimmer.

Many situations arise wherein swimmers are called upon to perform duties well in the water such that they do not have full use of their hands and legs. For instance, a diver is often required to carry equipment such as cameras. Similarly, a lifeguard upon rescuing an endangered swimmer has very little use of his hands. In such situations it is difficult to effectively swim through the water.

Furthermore, situations often occur wherein passengers of ships or airplanes are required to be able to swim in the water after abandonment of their craft. However, many persons are incapable of swimming for any substantial length of time. Also, in such situations, many people are injured to an extent such that they are incapable of swimming.

OBJECTS AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With the above discussion in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide a motive and propulsion mechanism which may easily be attached to the body of a swimmer to aid the swimmer in moving through the water.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a mechanism which may be easily operated by the swimmer by movement of either his arms or his legs.

It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide such a mechanism which is light weight and easily compactable for storage when not in use.

These objects are achieved in accordance with the present invention by providing a device including a main body having a bellows mechanism. In the first embodiment of the present invention, this bellows mechanism includes a movable vane, and in the second embodiment of the present invention this bellows includes a movable endless or tubular bellows. A rope is adapted to be attached to either the hands or feet of the swimmer and is operatively connected to the movable portion of the bellows closer to one end thereof than the opposite end. Thus, alternate movement of the right and left hands or feet will cause alternate movement of the movable part of the bellows. However, since the rope is operatively connected closer to one end of the bellows than the other, the movement of the movable part of the bellows is uneven and accordingly causes a forcing of fluid through the main body of the bellows.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be made clear from the following detailed description taken together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view partially in cross-section of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a rope support employed in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view partially in cross-section of the device shown in FIG. ll;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the principle of operation of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference now to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail.

A main body of a motive and propulsion mechanism of this embodiment of the invention includes a pair of fixed vanes or wings I and 2. Positioned between fixed vanes 1 and 2 is a movable vane 6. Fixed to and connecting vanes l, 2 and 6 are a pair of flexible bellows 111 and 12 which operate to maintain a parallel alignment between the three vanes. To the inward folds of the bellows which are not connected to the vanes are attached relatively thin but stiff plates 13a-13d at the forward or upper end thereof, plates Ida-14d centrally thereof, and plates 15al5d at the rearward or lower end thereof. These plates provide support for the bellows and tend to prevent collapsing thereof in a manner to be described in more detail below.

A pair of sturdy holders 3 and 4 are adapted to be attached to vanes 1 and 2 by insertion through brackets therein and tightening by suitable means such as screws 5. Holders 3 and 4 thus provide fixed relative positioning of fixed vanes 1 and 2. A pair of brackets 7 and 7' mount pulleys 10 therein and are rotatably attached to fixed vanes 1 and 2 by means of rotatable mountings 9 having openings therethrough. An actuating means such as rope 8 passes over pulleys 10 and passes through the openings in supports 9 and thus through fixed vanes l and 2. The rope extends through and is attached to movable vane 6 at a position closer to the forward end than the rearward end thereof.

With reference now to FIG. 4 of the drawings, the operation of this embodiment of the present invention will be described.

By suitable belts the holders 3 and 4 are attached to the body of the swimmer in a manner such that holder 3 is positioned above holder 4. The ends of rope 8 are by means such as loops attached to the right and left feet of the swimmer in a manner indicated by the reference letters R and L, respectively. The overall length of the rope 8 is adjusted to be shorter by one half of the distance between fixed vanes l and 2 than the amount necessary to allow full extension of both legs of the swimmer.

Upon movement of the rope 8 by full extension of the left leg as indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 4, the vane 6 will be generally urged toward fixed vane ll. However, since the rope 8 is attached to vane 6 closer to the forward end thereof, at the beginning of this movement, the forward end 6a of vane 6 will be urged toward vane 1, and the rearward end 6b of the vane will be urged toward vane 2. This causes water to be drawn into the wedge-shaped area bounded by vanes 6 and 2 and water to be foreced out from the wedge-shaped area bounded by' vanes 6 and 1. Continued movement of rope 8 in the direction of the arrow A will cause the entire length of vane 6 to approach vane 1, thus resulting in further expulsion of water from the second wedgeshaped area. Upon completion of this movement, the rope 8 is then moved in the opposite direction by extension of the right leg of the swimmer. This causes the forward end 6a of the vane to move toward vane 2 before such movement by rearward end 6b. This causes water to be drawn into a resultant wedge-shaped area formed between vanes 6 and 1. As the rearward end 6b of vane 6 approaches vane 2, water will be forced from a wedge-shaped area between vanes 6 and 2. It will be apparent then that continued alternate movement of the rope 8 will cause continued movement of the movable vane 6 in the manner above described. This will result in the creation of a flow of water through the device. It will be further apparent that the flow of water through the device created by one movement will provide enertia for flow of water caused by succeeding movements and than an efficient thrust will thus be possible by relatively easy movement of the legs and feet of the swimmer in a manner similar to a walking movement.

As discussed above, plates 13a-13d, 14a-14d and ISa-lSd provide means for preventing collapse of the bellows 11 and 12. This will become more apparent in view of the above discussion of the operation of the device. That is, when forward end 6a of movable vane 6 is moved toward vane 1, thus drawing water into the device, there will be pressure outwardly tending to collapse bellows ll and 12. However, plates 13c and 13d prevent bellows 11 and 12 from collapsing. Similarly, when rearward end 6b of movable vane 6 moves from the position illustrated in FIG. 4 toward vane 1, there will be pressure exerted on bellows 11 and 12 inwardly thereof due to the expulsion of the water. This pressure is counteracted by plates 15a and 15b.

It will also be apparent that during the above described movements of the swimmer, the joints of the swimmer at his waist, knees and ankles will not always be aligned in a straight line. Thus, the rope will tend to be pulled in the directions indicated by reference letters Y and Z in FIG. 4. However, due to the rotatable mounting of the pulleys 10 by supports 9, the pulleys 10 will swivel to adapt to movement in directions Y and Z. Thus, the movement of the rope 8 will always be free and unrestricted.

Even further, in the event that for some reason a swimmer is unable to operate the device by his legs, pulleys 10 may be swiveled such that the rope may be moved in the direction represented by reference letter X, whereby the ends of the rope may be attached to the hands of the swimmer.

It will further be apparent that when the mechanism of the present invention is not in use, it may be readily collapsed, thus being easy to store and carry. This may be done by merely removing the main body of the device from holders 3 and 4 by removal of screws 5. When this is done, it will be apparent that the vanes, bellows and plates may be readily collapsed in the manner of an accordian.

With reference now to FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

An endless or tubular bellows 16 has a plurality of inner folds to which are attached a plurality of stiff straight rods 18. A shaft 17 extends through the center of bellows l6 and is connected to rods 18 by a plurality of links 19. Links 19 are attached to rods 18 closer the upper or forward ends 18a than the lower or rearward ends 18b thereof. A pipe 21 surrounds shaft 17 below links 19 and is attached to links 19 by a plurality of connecting rods 20. Pipe 21 extends downwardly below shaft 17. The end 24 of shaft 17 rotatably supports a bracket 22 which mounts a pulley 23. An actuating means, such as rope 25 extends over pulley 23 through the end of pipe 21. Rope 25 is attached to the lower end of pipe 21. A plurality of holders 27 are attached to the upper and lower ends of shaft 17 to provide a support therefor and a guard for the bellows 16.

The operation of the device illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 will now be described in more detail.

The mechanism is attached to the body of a swimmer by suitable belts such that upper end 18a faces upwardly. The ends of rope 25 are attached by suitable means such as loops to the left and right feet of the swimmer as illustrated by the reference letters L and R, respectively. When the swimmer fully extends his left foot in the direction illustrated by arrow B in FIG. 6, pipe 21 is moved upwardly as illustrated by arrow C in FIG. 6. This upward movement of pipe 21 causes connecting rods 20 to force links 19 upwardly. This in turn causes bellows 16 to move outwardly. However, since links 19 are attached closer end 18a than end 18b of rods 18, the upper end of the bellows will move outwardly before the lower end thereof. This causes water to be drawn into the upper portion of the bellows.

As the swimmer then fully extends his right leg, rope 25 and pipe 21 will be moved opposite to the directions described above. This will cause connecting rods 20 to pull links 19 toward shaft 17. Accordingly, bellows 16 will be caused to move inwardly toward shaft 17. However, since links 19 are connected closer to end than 18b, the upper end of the bellows will move toward shaft 17 first. This will cause water within the bellows to be forced downwardly therethrough.

It will be apparent from the above description that the alternative extension of the left and right legs of the swimmer will cause alternate expansion and contraction of the bellows in the manner described above. This will cause a flow of water to pass through the bellows and will thus provide a motive and propulson means for a swimmer.

It will be apparent from the above description that the present invention provides a motive and propulsion mechanism which is highly efficient, easy to operate, light weight and readily portable.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, this description is intended to be illustrative only and not restrictive,

since many details of the specific construction may be altered and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A motive and propulsion mechanism to be worn by a swimmer in the water and comprising a main body including a movable bellows mechanism having an forward and a rearward, and a pair of fixed parallel vanes, said bellows mechanism comprising a movable vane positioned between said fixed vanes, and a pair of bellows connecting said fixed vanes and said movable vane; means connected to said main body for attaching said main body to said swimmer; and actuating means operatively connected to said bellows mechanism nearer said forward end than said rearward end for causing said bellows mechanism to move and create a flow of said water through said main body from said forward end to said rearward end; said actuating means comprising a rope extending through said fixed vanes and attached to said movable vane.

2. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1, further comprising pulleys rotatably mounted on said fixed vanes, said rope passing over said pulleys.

3. A motive and propulsion mechanism to be worn by a swimmer in the water and comprising a main body including a movable bellows mechanism having an forward end and a rearward end, and a pair of fixed parallel vanes, said bellows mechanism comprising a movable vane positioned between said fixed vanes, and a pair of bellows connecting said fixed vanes and said movable vane; means connected to said main body for attaching said main body to said swimmer; actuating means operatively connected to said bellows mechanism nearer said forward end than said rearward end for causing said bellows mechanism to move and create a flow of said water through said main body from said upper end to said lower end; and a plurality of thin, stiff plates connecting said pair of bellows adjacent said upper and lower ends and substantially midway therebetween. 

1. A motive and propulsion mechanism to be worn by a swimmer in the water and comprising a main body including a movable bellows mechanism having an forward and a rearward, and a pair of fixed parallel vanes, said bellows mechanism comprising a movable vane positioned between said fixed vanes, and a pair of bellows connecting said fixed vanes and said movable vane; means connected to said main body for attaching said main body to said swimmer; and actuating means operatively connected to said bellows mechanism nearer said forward end than said rearward end for causing said bellows mechanism to move and create a flow of said water through said main body from said forward end to said rearward end; said actuating means comprising a rope extending through said fixed vanes and attached to said movable vane.
 2. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1, further comprising pulleys rotatably mounted on said fixed vanes, said rope passing over said pulleys.
 3. A motive and propulsion mechanism to be worn by a swimmer in the water and comprising a main body including a movable bellows mechanism having an forward end and a rearward end, and a pair of fixed parallel vanes, said bellows mechanism comprising a movable vane positioned between said fixed vanes, and a pair of bellows connecting said fixed vanes and said movable vane; means connected to said main body for attaching said main body to said swimmer; actuating means operatively connected to said bellows mechanism nearer said forward end than said rearward end for causing said bellows mechanism to move and create a flow of said water through said main body from said upper end to said lower end; and a plurality of thin, stiff plates connecting said pair of bellows adjacent said upper and lower ends and substantially midway therebetween. 